blog Archives - JDLsourcing

Pre-Shipment quality inspection (PSI)

Joep de Laat (founder & owner)
T: +316 – 414 08 116
E: info@jdlsourcing.nl

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Pre-shipment quality inspections, a very important step in the quality assurance procedures when you have your products manufactured abroad. During a pre-shipment inspection (PSI), a third party quality inspector checks the quality of your goods before they are shipped out to your address.

The pre-shipment quality inspection

You have decided to produce your products in China, but how can you assure that the products meet your requirements? Performing a PSI helps to check the quality of your goods before they are shipped to your address. This inspection is performed at the factory when at least 80% of the order is packed and ready for shipping. Random products are selected and checked for defects. This helps to prevent unpleasant surprises when the products arrive at your doorstep.

“A quality inspection in China drastically reduces the quality risks that you are dealing with when producing overseas”.

Acceptance Quality Limit

When performing our quality inspections, we refer to the Acceptance Quality Limit (AQL). The AQL indicates the maximum acceptable number of defective products during an inspection. Unfortunately, there are almost no such things as 100% error free mass-productions when you are dealing with custom-made or private label productions. Therefore, the AQL tables are used as an industry standard quality reference to perform quality inspections.

How does the AQL method work?

The most common and widely used AQL level is level II. When determining the maximum acceptable quantity of defects, we distinguish 3 different type of defects:

(1) Critical defects: We maintain an AQL 0% toleration for critical defects. These are defects that are totally unacceptable and could potentially cause harm to end users and/or do not comply with market regulations. This means that 0% defective items are allowed in your production.

(2) Major defects: We maintain an AQL 2.5% toleration for major defects. These are products that would usually not be considered acceptable by the end user. This means that there will be no more than 2.5% major defected items in your total order quantity.

(3) Minor defects: We maintain an AQL 4% toleration for small defects. These are products with small deviations from the order specifications, but most end-users would not mind. This means that there will be no more than 4% minor defected items in your total order quantity.

Table 1

If you want to determine the total amount of products to be inspected based on your order quantity, you may find it handy to look in the table above. Let’s suppose your order quantity is 2000 pieces. If you cross inspection level II with an order quantity of 2000 pcs, you will see letter K. The letter K indicates the inspection sample size to be tested and can be read in table 2.

Table 2

In the next step, you can determine the maximum allowed number of major & minor defective units. JDLsourcing has maintains an industry standard percentage of 2.5% for major defects and 4.0% for minor defects. If you cross the horizontal row of the letter K with the vertical row of 2.5, you will see that the maximum number of major defects is <7. This means that out of the 125 products that have to be inspected, a maximum of 7 major defects are allowed. The order will be rejected if the number of major defects reaches 8 pieces or more.

Pre-shipment quality inspection by JDLsourcing:

The only way to perform a professional pre-shipment quality inspection with care is by booking certified third party quality inspectors. Our office in Zhejiang province China, is aware of our quality standards and can assist during quality inspections for a second opinion. In addition, we rely on a trusted and trained team of professional third party quality inspectors who help to inspect goods that are produced in other provinces like Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong, and Fujian. This helps to ensures that your goods are properly checked before they are sent out to your doorstep. Mistakes or rejected inspections can be solved on spot by repairing or replacing the rejected products. Furthermore, JDLsourcing uses the AQL inspection of level II during quality inspections, which means that a tolerance of up to 2.5% of the products produced may have major errors. In this way we ensure that you will not be faced with unpleasant surprises when your goods arrive. !

JDLsourcing is the specialist when it comes to manufacturing in China. With years of experience and the right knowledge and mindset, JDLsourcing has been able to make many customers happy. Let us take away your purchasing worries. For more information about producing in China, please visit our ‘manufacturing in China’ blog.

Contact us now in case you have any questions or in case you would like to receive a tailored quotation for your project. Our team of experts is ready to help you produce your products succesfully.

Factory visit in China

Joep de Laat (founder & owner)
T: +316 – 414 08 116
E: info@jdlsourcing.nl

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Factory visit in China; pay attention!

The search for your new supplier often starts in the far east in a country like China, where your goods can be produced more cost-effective. When you want to have your products produced in China, there are many obvious advantages. However, outsourcing your production to the far east does not only bring advantages. In this blog we are going to tell you something about what to look for when you are going to visit a factory in China and what JDLsourcing has to offer you as a production partner.

Preventing miscommunications with manufacturers

Due to the different cultures, communication can sometimes be challenging because of miscommunications caused by cultural differences. For example, manufacturers take their own ways because they don’t understand your specifications, they don’t keep their promises, or they are trading agents who pretend to be a factory. Therefore, if you want to have your products produced in China, it is very important to have someone locally present at the source so that they can help prevent possible problems. In this way, everything runs smoother and any problems that would have taken place, can be prevented or spotted on time.

Because of these possible misunderstandings, JDLsourcing has already paid a lot of attention on how to prevent these misunderstandings. Thanks to our local presence, we can directly visit the factory for “real-life” production updates and quality inspections. This helps to prevent issues or spot them in an early phase of the production process. Our local employees speak the language and are familiar with the business culture which helps to run the process smoothly.

Factory visit in China

A factory visit in China can help to decide if your targeted factory is capable and qualified to produce the product that you are looking for.

During a visit to the factory, JDLsourcing will check their company licenses, certificates, the number of employees and the available machines in order to determine whether we have found the right factory for your production. Visiting the factory helps to make a calculated decision. It helps to confirm whether you are dealing with a real factory that has the required experience to run your production. To be 100% sure of all criteria above, local presence is of crucial importance.

How does it work? After receiving your inquiry, we start the search for the right manufacturer. In consultation with our local office, factories are approached. After filtering out the first factories, an appointment is made with the remaining factories to visit their production facility for a thorough audit. After these factory visits, we select 2-3 factories who will get a sample production order. Based on these samples we decide which factory will get the mass production order. By taking these steps in advance, we prevent potential problems and ensure that your products are produced by the best available factory.

JDLsourcing as your production partner;

JDLsourcing is the expert when it comes to manufacturing in China. With years of experience and the right knowledge and mindset, JDLsourcing has been able to produce various products in China. JDLsourcing will take your worries away for the entire purchasing process. Things like looking for a supplier, having the products produced and the complete logistics with the necessary controls. For more information about producing in China, please visit our ‘manufacturing in China’ blog.

What is private label production?

Joep de Laat (founder & owner)
T: +316 – 414 08 116
E: info@jdlsourcing.nl

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What is private label production?

The easiest definition of private label production is the production of an existing product with your own brand and packaging design. This can be as creative as you are or as creative as we are with all types of products that you can think of. In this blog we will talk about the eight production steps that JDLsourcing uses and what JDLsourcing has to offer as your production partner.

The complete private label process according to our 8 fixed steps

For years, we have been specialized in developing private label products and custom-made products. To be more specific: private label products / gadgets for marketing campaigns, loyalty campaign products, merchandise products, and giveaways. We can even help you to have your product fully custom-made!

With our local teams in Asia & Europe, we can help you out with multiple product categories. Our team can start immediately after you have provided us your specifications. Our local teams help to visit the factory, manage the production and inspect shipments before we arrange transport.

Below we give you the full eight fixed steps that we use when we have your private label produced in China or other countries in Asia.

Brainstorm meeting
Before you can private label your own product, you will need designs for your logo and packaging (if required). We can brainstorm about this together in a face-to-face meeting where we exchange our ideas and specifications.
Product sourcing
We will look for suitable suppliers based on your specifications and certifications. Our local teams and network of experienced suppliers help to find multiple options.
Supplier comparison
We don’t want to do business with the first manufacturer that pops up on our radar. We will approach multiple manufacturers and evaluate them based on your requirements. In this way we can always offer you different options and make the best decisions together.
Price proposal
We present you our best offers, conditions and lead times based on our research.
Production sample
We supply you with a pre-production sample to confirm the quality. Sometimes it can happen that a customer wants to implement a few changes in the first sample. For example: logo positioning, colour or finishing. Producing a new sample will take extra time, but it certainly contributes to achieving a perfect end result.
Production
We oversee your production process and we keep you informed through transparent updates. Our local team can visit the factory for a “during production inspection” to be extra certain that potential delays and errors are spotted and solved before it is too late.
Quality control
We provide a local carefully conducted pre-shipment quality inspection at the factory to ensure the quality of your goods before they are sent out to your doorstep.
Logistics
We arrange the entire transportation process until the goods are delivered to your doorstep. The shipping lead time depends on which shipping method you choose:
– air freight: 5-7 days.
– sea freight: 30-35 days.

JDLsourcing as your production partner;

We are experienced with producing private label products in Asia and Europe. By outsourcing the purchasing process, you are able to fully focus on your core business. For more information about producing in China, please visit our ‘manufacturing in China’ blog.

Chinese New Year: How to avoid shipping and producing delays

Joep de Laat (founder & owner)
T: +316 – 414 08 116
E: info@jdlsourcing.nl

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How to avoid shipping and production delays during Chinese New Year (CNY).

The Chinese New Year of 2020 (year of the rat) is slowly getting closer. During this period, we are extra cautious with production and delivery planning. A lot of people tend to forget about Chinese holiday periods when producing in China. In 2020, it will take place on the 25^thJanuary till 10 February. During this holiday, all factories are shut down for about four working weeks, allowing the workers time to travel back home in order to spend the holiday with their families. Sadly, it happens way too often that people tend to forget about the Chinees holidays when they want to manufacture their products in China. In this blog, we will tell you how to prevent this and what JDLsourcing has to offer as your production partner.

Factories close prematurely; Here’s what you need to know and what you can do about it!

Officially CNY starts on 25^thJanuary, but the factory employees are allowed to travel back to their families from the 10^thJanuary. So, keep in mind that this year, most factories will be closed between 10 January – 10 February during Chinese New Year. This time period is especially risky for products that are due for shipment in the spring season.

Therefore, I would like to explain how you can avoid delayed deliveries and quality issues during Chinese New Year when you want to manufacture your products in China.

1. Prepare a forecast to get you through CNY and beyond.

Ask for a factory holiday schedule at least 30-45 days before CNY. No matter whether you are dealing with a trading company or a factory, most are super busy in the last month before CNY, because every customer wants their products to be shipped out before CNY holidays. Arrange and plan your orders according to their holiday schedule in order to prevent unexpected delays.

2. Develop a good trusting relationship with your supplier or manufacturer.

If you are sourcing from China and just beginning to build your relationship with a new supplier or manufacturer, it will be difficult to build that relationship in the months prior to Chinese New Year. During this period, all suppliers and manufacturers are under immense pressure. If your business is the newest on their account, it is very likely that your goods will be their last priority when it comes to order completion and deliveries before CNY period. If you are working with a manufacturing partner or sourcing company, ensure that they have experiences with handling the rush during this time. Make sure to ask what measures they have in place to help their clients plan for CNY. A big advantage of working with a manufacturing partner or sourcing company is that you can benefit from their trustworthy supplier/factory network that they have developed over the years. This can help to ensure that your products are shipped on time during the hectic CNY rush.

3. It takes factories at least a month to ramp back up after Chinese New Year.

You might assume that the same workers who left before holiday will return afterwards. Some workers decide to stay in their hometowns and stay close to their families. Besides, CNY is generally considered the best time to switch jobs. This means experienced workers will leave and new workers have to be hired. In addition, orders that were not finished before CNY are still piled up at the factory. Manufacturers will finish these orders first before starting with yours. This takes a lot of time, which means that it can take up to a month for production speed to ramp back up after CNY.

4. Be aware of port shipping deadlines.

Book your shipments well in advance of CNY. The deadline of loading FCL/LCL containers is 3-4 days before the start of CNY. Therefore, it is smart to book your shipments well in advance of CNY. Freight carriers are notorious for raising freight rates during this period, as demand is high, those who can afford to pay more will leave earlier. Here is where another trusted business relationship with a sourcing company or freight forwarder will come in handy as most of them work with freight carriers that are more organized in dealing with the peak demand of CNY.

5. Put a Quality Inspector in place.

You have just had your products manufactured in China, but your products contain many quality problems just before CNY. As you can imagine, an order of goods that has quality issues right before CNY could cause huge delays. Factories are producing in high speed as they are in a rush to get out their products in time. During these times, quality can take a back seat. Having a local third-party quality inspector in place will drastically reduce the risk of delayed shipments due to quality issues or worse, shipping damaged goods to your customer’s door. This is another example where a trusted manufacturer/supplier relationship will help a lot.

6. While you’re at it, plan ahead for other Chinese holidays as well.

Chinese New Year is the longest holiday period in China, but there are actually several other Chinese holidays that might affect your business. Here is an overview of all the other holidays in China. Most factories/suppliers will also be closed during these dates:
– Qing Ming Jie Festival                April 4^th, 2020
– International labour day              May 1^st – 3^rd
– Dragon Boat Festival                  June 25^th, 2020
– Mid-autumn Festival                    October 1^st, 2020
– Golden Week                               October 1^st – 7^th 2020

JDLsourcing as your production partner;

Chinese new year
Chinese New Year

How to deal with manufacturers and suppliers in Asia

Joep de Laat (founder & owner)
T: +316 – 414 08 116
E: info@jdlsourcing.nl

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How to deal with manufacturers and suppliers in Asia

Maybe you have already experienced it: you have found a manufacturer to have your products manufactured in China, but you have no idea on how to approach the manufacturer. You will be facing language barriers, different time zones, and an uncertainty of what platform you should use to communicate. Let’s face it, dealing with manufacturers and suppliers in Asia can be very challenging. In this blog we will talk about the problems that can arise when approaching manufacturers and suppliers in Asia, what the solutions are for these problems and what JDLsourcing has to offer as a production partner.

The approach; what do you have to pay attention to?

When your business is on the line, you need to use the following keys to deal with manufacturers and suppliers in Asia.

1. Managing the whole manufacturing cycle

If you do not setup processes early on in your business to deal with your manufacturers and suppliers, chances are that your business will not last too long. As an entrepreneur, you do not only need to manage people, but you also need to manage your product through its full life cycle.

Managing your product can mean everything from dealing with an engineer who is working on your computer aided designs to telling your manufacturer the adjustments you made on your pre-production product sample to shipping the goods.

2. Setup a Go-To Means of Communication.

When you first started interacting with a potential manufacturer or supplier, it is key to setup ways to communicate. I recommend having at least two methods and at least two points of contact at a company you are considering working with. As an example, we once had a customer who tried finding a manufacturer on their own and had their main sales rep quit the job. When the sales rep left, she took all the information they had sent her about their product. They then had to start from ground zero in the product development process because the sales rep that quit did not tell the manufacturer about the product they were working on.

3. Make sure your product specifications are on point!

A product must exist on paper before it can be put together by the manufacturer. Manufactures in Asia expect customers to provide all relevant information. They will not take responsibility for doing this. Examples of product specifications include:
– Product colour codes (Pantone or RAL)
– Size tables
– Measurements
– Artwork files (.ai format)
– CAD or other drawing files
– Product reference samples

4. Cross Check Everything.

This should be a rule of thumb when dealing with manufacturers: If they send a contract, NDA, or payment information, be sure to check it with them twice, using two forms of communication. This means check it with them over email and then check again over Skype. We heard this story from a customer of ours before they started working with us: A manufacturer had sent payment information via Email. The client went to double check via Skype and found out that the bank account numbers were completely wrong. Turns out the manufacturer’s email had been hacked. That double check over a different communication platform saved this guy thousands.

5. Always order a sample before starting mass production.

Developing pre-production samples is the perfect way to test the viability of your new design, and the manufacturers capability to produce it. It can help to detect and improve errors before it’s too late.

6. Always Follow Up.

If you’ve gotten to the point where you’re starting production, you need to be checking in at least once a week. Though it may sound annoying, checking in with a manufacturer makes your project top of mind. This enables you to try and make sure manufacturers stay on top of deadlines and update you if there are any issues. The worst scenario you can get yourself into is finding out of a problem three weeks after it happened because you weren’t in communication with your manufacturer and they didn’t have the stigma to tell you. Now that you know the keys to dealing with suppliers and manufacturers in Asia, it’s time to put them into practice. If you have a manufacturer, use these keys to make sure you’re dealing with them correctly.

JDLsourcing as your production partner;

In addition to avoiding misunderstandings in communication and arranging a suitable factory, JDLsourcing is the specialist when it comes to manufacturing in China. With years of experience and the right knowledge and mindset, JDLsourcing has been able to make many customers happy with the manufactured products from China. JDLsourcing will take your worries away for the entire purchasing process. Things like looking for a supplier, having the products produced and the complete logistics with the necessary controls. For more information about producing in China, please visit our ‘manufacturing in China’ blog.

Do you have a fantastic idea, and can’t you wait to make your idea reality? Don’t wait any longer and take your chances by contactingJDLsourcing! Together with our local team in China, we are ready to make your dreams come true and produce in China for you!